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Speed-related road deaths up more than double from last year says OPP

ORILLIA, ON, June 23, 2014 /CNW/ - Highway deaths with speed as a causal
factor have doubled in 2014 compared to the same period last year
according to recent data released by the Ontario Provincial Police
(OPP). The OPP is calling on all drivers, boaters and off-road vehicle
(ORV) enthusiasts to work together to make the upcoming Canada Day
holiday weekend a safe one.

According to the data, speed-related deaths are currently in the lead
when compared to collision fatalities in which distracted or impaired
driving were causal factors. Of the 113 people who have been killed on OPP-patrolled roads so far this year (as
of June 15, 2014), speed was a factor in 33 of those deaths. Distracted driving is in second place at 24 fatalities and impaired driving related deaths are at 12.

"Last year speed was a factor in more than 11,000 collisions we investigated so there is no question that speed threatens
the safety of all road users. As people make travel plans for the
upcoming Canada Day weekend, drivers need to remember that speeding,
following too closely, making unsafe lane changes, road rage and
failing to yield right-of-way are all aggressive driving behaviours
that injure and kill people of all ages every year," said Deputy
Commissioner Brad Blair, Provincial Commander of Traffic Safety and
Operational Support.

"In 2013 our officers laid nearly 300,000 speeding charges across the province. Almost 3,000 of those charges involved the motorist driving 50 km/h or more over the
posted speed - one of the most aggressive, reckless and dangerous
driving behaviours on our roads. The motoring public has the right to
be safe and it is an unacceptable injustice to all safe drivers and
innocent passengers when aggressive drivers display this type of
behaviour and endanger everyone," said Chief Superintendent Don Bell,
Commander, OPP Highway Safety Division.

With the Canada Day weekend approaching, the OPP is reminding all
drivers who will be travelling on Ontario roads, waterways and trails
that they have the ability to make it an incident-free weekend. Every
driver is in control of their behaviour and the OPP acknowledges that
the majority of people who operate a vehicle, boat or off-road vehicle
take this responsibility seriously.

Because of the irresponsible few who do not, the OPP is counting on
members of the public to take charge of the situation when they are
with someone who is driving unsafely and placing themselves and other
people at risk of death or serious injury.

Never feel guilty about asking them to stop, encourage them to drive
safely and remind them that the safety of other people is at stake.
This is one more way to raise awareness and influence positive driving
behaviour among motorists, boaters and off-roaders.

Also, if you suspect that someone is operating a motor vehicle, boat or
ORV while impaired, call 9-1-1. In doing so, you are playing a very
important role in helping the OPP save lives. By working together, the
OPP and the public can ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable
Canada Day weekend!